Teen Anxiety Disorder Subtypes
Six distinct subtypes of teen anxiety are presented below. While such subdivision of anxiety disorders reflects recent biological and genetic research and is useful, it presents the disadvantage of implying that the different forms of anxiety reflect medical illnesses and that each can be cured with biological interventions (medications) alone. In fact, it is rare that a "pure" subtype of anxiety is presented. It is much more likely that your teen's anxiety will exhibit itself through a variety of different and overlaping symptoms.
As you read about the anxiety subtypes below, please keep in mind that anxiety is an exaggerated emotional reaction that reflects conscious and unconscious fears. Yes, brain chemistry effects emotions, but perhaps more importantly, emotions effect brain chemistry. While it is tempting to hope for purely physical cures to debilitating anxiety because such reductionistic thinking is easier, it is unlikely that medications alone will provide the most complete or long lasting cure for your teen's anxiety problems. Study after study has indicated that many forms of anxiety respond well to psychotherapy alone, and that psychotherapy and medication together is more effective than medication alone. When medication is necessary, as is sometimes the case, studies have consistently shown that the chance of future relapse is significantly reduced when medications are combined with psychotherapy.
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